Meet your
Instructors

FULLY QUALIFIED

Your instructors have years of experience teaching and coaching all over the world, from first time skiers to world class athletes. They all hold their BASI ISTD level 4 qualification and French equivalent which has helped them help hundreads of clients reach their goals. Many have accomplished their first solo run, passing instructor exams or competed at the World Junior Championships with the help of our instructors.

From start to finish you will be in direct contact with us, your coaches.

You need to be turning to be learning!

MEET THE TEAM

James Bennett

With over 20 years’ experience under his belt James is the co-founder of PDS Academy, along with Craig Robinson. Starting off at the tender age of 10, James quickly rose through the ranks to become a member of two British Ski Teams in both Alpine and Telelmark racing.

Since retiring from racing, James has become a BASI trainer in both Telemark and Coaching, delivering courses in the UK and abroad. He was an active coach for the British Junior team and has a keen interest in developing young skiers from grass route level upwards.

James is a qualified as a First Aid trainer and has run courses for all instructors ranging from gap students to ski school directors.

Tom Hudson

Ski School Instructor | Pro-training Coach | Race Club Coach

Tom is an experienced ski instructor, working in the industry for over 10 years. He has worked all around the world teaching and coaching all levels from beginners through to ski instructors.

He has been based in Morzine for the last three seasons and is an integral part of the team. Tom specialises in the snow park and has impressive backcountry skills. Tom always builds a great rapport when teaching children and makes learning fun through adventure.

In the summer months Tom works at the Castleford Snozone, where he trains local instructors, coaching them for their upcoming exams.

Ben Brian

Ski School Instructor | Pro-training Coach | Race Club Coach

Ben joined PDS Academy with a free spirit and a passion for freeriding.

As a fully qualified instructor, with experience working in the roughest terrain throughout the world, Ben pushes his lessons to the limit. His teaching style is adaptable and suits all abilities – he has even been known to pull a backflip mid race.

If you are looking to develop your skills off piste in Morzine, Avoriaz, and Les Gets, Ben will be the instructor to take your skiing to a new level.

Stu Little

Ski School Instructor | Pro-Training Coach | Race Club Coach

Joining PDS Academy at the tender age of 22, Stu is one of the youngest fully qualified BASI ISTD Instructors.

Having taught all over the world in countries such as Japan and Italy, he now joins us in France to share his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm in the Portes du Soleil and Espace Killy!

From the race piste to the off piste, the self proclaimed Mr. Motivator will encourage you to explore new areas and tackle new skills!

Craig Robinson

Along with James, Craig is the co-founder of PDS Academy. He has over 20 years’ experience on the slopes, with 10 years of that internationally. Craig has raced in the ski cross World Cup and represented Great Britain in the 2009 World Championships.

Craig is qualified to the highest international level and has tutored many ski instructors through the Eurotest and instructor exams. He has also coached athletes through the World Junior Championships.

Craig represented the British Association of Snowsport Instructors at Interski, the largest snowsport conference in the world.

Scott Macbain

Ski School Instructor | Pro-training Coach | Race Club Coach

Scott joined PDS Academy having completed a successful stint skiing for Scotland and the British Development team. His international career took him to the most well-known ski courses, all around the world.

Since passing his BASI qualifications with flying colours, Scott has helped many ski instructors pass their exams and has worked for various ski schools teaching at all levels. He has now settled in Portes Du Soleil and continues with his passion for teaching.

During the summer months, Scott heads to Australia to coach up and coming ski racers. In his spare time he can be found by the sea, teaching his other passion, sailing.

Alex Deif

Ski School Instructor | Pro-training Coach | Race Club Coach

Alex started his training in Argentina and continued with it on his return to Austria and then Switzerland. Since becoming BASI qualified, Alex has taught in New Zealand where he headed up his own successful race programme. Alex’s love for off piste skiing developed early on in his training where he skied with a number of the British Freestyle team.

Alex is a talented videographer and regularly films his freestyle skiing which he then edits to create short films. He has recently discovered a passion for racing and had ambitions to become a regular on the competitive race circuit.

James Lockerbie

Ski School Instructor | Pro-Training Coach | Race Club Coach

James started working at PDS during the 2017/18 season after completing his final instructor qualifications. Although he was already an experienced teacher having taught in Andorra, Switzerland and the Manchester Chillfactore in the UK.

James can often be found at the Chillfactore coaching apprentice instructors indoors over the summer. He’s been teaching from the age of 16 and is also a qualified First Aid instructor, often running courses during the winter for Instructors and Chalet staff.